Five Technologies That Will Push the Defence Industry into the Future
In its 2023 Defence Command Paper, the Ministry of Defence outlined its plan to invest over £6.6 billion in advanced Research and Development. This is designed to leverage emerging technology to protect the Defence and National Security industry.
Among its core priorities are five critical technologies identified by the National Science and Technology Council:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Engineering Biology
- Future Telecommunications
- Semiconductors
- Quantum Computing
As nations across the globe continually strive to enhance their technological capabilities to gain an advantage over their adversaries, each of these technologies is expected to play an important role in pushing the boundaries of innovation within the sector.
This blog explores what that might look like, and how each technology can be applied within the UK defence sector.
Artificial Intelligence
As recorded in the Defence Command Paper, AI is a strategic priority for Defence, as set out in the Defence AI Strategy, with one key goal being to strengthen the UK’s Defence AI ecosystem. Research into this area is designed to support current operations, elevate supply chain agility and identify additional revenue streams while enhancing the protection of systems and information.
As AI develops, it poses additional challenges for organisations. One particular concern for many is the potential for hackers to leverage AI to execute advanced, automated cyberattacks. To combat this, defence organisations must themselves leverage AI functionality to identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited. These include:
- Proactive threat detection – By constantly monitoring networks and systems, AI-driven solutions can identify emerging threats in real-time, allowing defence organisations to mitigate risks before they escalate into serious breaches
- Automated response systems – Leveraging AI to automate responses to identified threats ensures rapid action, reducing the impact of cyberattacks and enabling teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than manual interventions
- Predictive analytics – Using advanced algorithms and data analysis, AI can predict potential vulnerabilities and future attack vectors, allowing for preemptive measures to be taken, enhancing overall security posture and resilience
This requires breaking down misconceptions around AI—such as the belief that AI is too unpredictable or complex to be trusted in critical defence operations—and educating the sector on its evolving role in cybersecurity. For instance, many still see AI as a threat in itself, rather than a tool that can be shaped to defend against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
Additionally, organisations should bolster their security posture by deploying advanced AI-driven solutions such as machine learning algorithms. These continuously adapt to new threats, integrating with existing security processes to lower attack surface area.
Engineering Biology
Engineering biology is essential in the Defence industry, enhancing resilience against biological threats and boosting capabilities in biotechnology. Developments in this field enable the development of new bioengineered materials, such as synthetic tissues for use on the battlefield and sensors for detecting chemical or biological agents.
Additionally, it can create new pathways for sustainable resource production, such as biofuels, reducing logistical vulnerabilities. This bolsters supply chain elasticity, allowing Defence organisations to adapt operations to minimise disruption caused by blockages or shortages in the global supply chain. Looking to the future, UK defence organisations are striving to strengthen architecture and security measures further to protect both small-scale focused research, and at a macro-level, projects relating to national defence infrastructure such as Project Thunderbolt.
Future Telecommunications
Telecommunications enable faster, more secure, and highly resilient communications. As the backbone of digital operations, telecommunications technologies are evolving to support greater data transmission speeds, reduce latency, and enhance connectivity across all levels of Defence infrastructure.
The development of next-generation networks, such as 5G connectivity and beyond, will empower Defence organisations with renewed capabilities, from real-time data sharing on the battlefield to improved coordination among allied forces. Providing digital environments that enable teams to collaborate securely enables sensitive information to be shared efficiently, supporting organisational decision-making regardless of physical location.
The importance of effective Telecoms within the industry is clearly recognised. In October 2023, the UK helped launch the Global Coalition on Telecommunications, composed of representatives from the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, and Japan. This coalition encourages collaboration and innovation, allowing the allied nations to look ahead.
Remote communication is paramount in today’s environment. If the Defence industry can achieve effective collaboration, securely, without the risk of external threats compromising systems, it can create the potential for significant technological innovation. SecureCloud+ enables this by providing secure, resilient communication solutions that ensure Defence organisations can collaborate effectively, empowering teams to work seamlessly across locations, and safeguarding data from external threats while driving innovation.
Semiconductors
Semiconductors are a foundational component of technological devices. Defence-specific semiconductor technologies are particularly useful in sensing, imaging and communication applications. They are also used to advance other emerging technologies, such as AI and engineering biology systems, making them a fundamental aspect of a nation’s developing Defence strategy.
As the demand for secure, reliable, and innovative computing continues to grow, investing in semiconductor innovation will push the defence industry into the future.
Quantum Technologies
As referred to in the UK’s Science and Technology Framework, quantum technologies promise significant benefits to the UK economy, society, and security. The UK quickly became an early leader in this area, with the £1 billion National Quantum Technologies Programme running since 2014.
It has also released its National Quantum Strategy, outlining its path to becoming a leading quantum-enabled economy, by investing £2.5 billion over 10 years, starting in 2024, whilst generating at least a further £1 billion private investment. This initiative will delve into the possibilities of quantum computing and how it can be applied by sectors such as Defence to maximise efficiency, security and national resilience.
Companies should explore integrating quantum-safe encryption technologies to facilitate secure collaboration within Defence and National Security environments, ensuring communications remain protected against even the most advanced future threats.
Looking Ahead
The future of Defence lies in its ability to harness and innovate through five critical technologies: Artificial Intelligence, Engineering Biology, Future Telecommunications, Semiconductors, and Quantum Technologies. These emerging entities all present their respective advantages and possibilities to the sector, and as they continue to evolve, their functionality, security and flexibility must increase.
Documents such as the MoD’s Defence Command Paper highlight the strategies adopted by governments and security to cement their defensive posture, protecting against threats and embedding the solutions into operations. While driving forward innovation is a great asset for the industry, it must be secure, minimise attack surface areas and protect classified information, reaping the full benefits of technology.
Secure collaboration within defence is essential. Organisations can integrate emerging technologies and systems into their operations through a Secure by Design approach, driving innovation without compromising security. SecureCloud+ works closely with its customers, helping them to take a proactive stance in the battle against external cyber threats. Maintaining a strong defence posture amidst an increasingly complex and interconnected digital environment enables defence organisations to innovate, securely and efficiently.